Monday, September 25, 2017

I only signed up for 3 challenges this year- and unfortunately I'm not doing so well with any of them!

I signed up for the "Travelling the World with Books" Challenge, hosted by Mom's Small Victories. The book encourages you to read books set in different countries. So far, I've read books set in 12 countries.
(All links go back to my reviews)

United Kingdom:
Back Home by Michelle Magorian
The Hollow by Agatha ChristieUnbecoming by Jenny Downham
After the Funeral by Agatha Christie
Heist Society by Ally Carter
The 12 Dares of Christa by Marissa Burt
Macbeth by William Shakespeare

France:
The Bishop's Girl by Rebecca Burns
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
The 12 Dares of Christa by Marissa Burt

I also signed up for the Big Book Challenge at Book by Book. I only finished 4 Big Books this summer. My previous records are 8 and 10 books, but I just couldn't manage that this year.

The last challenge I'm participating in is the Goodreads Reading Challenges- which I'm really behind on! I set a goal to read 80 books and as of this moment, I've only read 49. I'm 9 books behind schedule! Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with my challenge by the end of the year!

Did you guys sign up for any challenges this year? Let me know in the comments below!

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Christa loves Christmas. The holiday season is her favorite season of all time- it's just so perfect! Unfortunately, this year, the holidays are stained by her parents separation.

She can't imagine spending the vacations without her father, even when her mom tells her she'll be joining her on a trip across Europe for the winter.

A cautious, play-it-safe kind of girl, Christa isn't really looking forward to the crowds and new foods. When she gets to her hotel though, there's a package from her father awaiting her. The first of 12, the letter dares to her complete a task she normally wouldn't.

As Christa works to finish the dares and make new friends within her mom's acting troop, her father shapes her into a more confident girl, from halfway across the world!

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Hey guys! I'm back with my last few pictures of our family trip to Meghalaya this summer! Don't worry though- I have some more exciting pictures to share with you from other trips we've taken over the years.

I'm linking up with Melinda @ WMMR to share these pictures with you guys!

Nohkalikai Falls- Cherrapunji

View from hotel room

Seven sister falls- Cherrapuji

Have any of you visited Meghalaya? Perhaps you've visited another similar state in India? Let me know in the comments below and have a great weekend!

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Last week, I shared some pictures of our family trip to Meghalaya this summer. Today, I'll be sharing some more pictures of our trip, this time of some natural formations around the state. In case you hadn't figured this out already, I'm participating in Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Melinda @ West Metro Mommy Reads.

A bridge made out of living roots near Mawlynnong village

A cave in Mawsynram, the second wettest place on Earth

A Shiv Ling inside the cave

Hope you guys enjoy all your weekends! Leave a link to your blogs, and I'll be sure to come check them out.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Kadi is a young girl in modern-day Timbuktu. Daughter of a scripture librarian. A fan of literature, music and art, she hopes one day to become the esteemed guardian of the scriptures her father currently looks after.

Ali is a small-town boy from the villages of Mali. He's joined the Defenders of Faith, a branch of Al Qaeda and is an important player in the take of Timbuktu.

As life changes drastically in Timbuktu, Ali and Kadi meet. They hate each other instantly- but something about their natures encourages them to interact with one another. Opening up to each other was a huge mistake- or was it?

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Hey guys! This week I'll be linking up with Melinda @ Westmetro Mommy Reads to share some pictures of our summer trip to Meghalaya this year. Meghalaya is a state in North-East India. These are some pictures we took on the drive up to Shillong.

Have any of you ever been to Meghalaya- or anywhere else in India? Let me know in the comments below! Hope you guys all have a great week!

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Wendy's dad was a police officer in Chicago. She always thought he resembled the heroes in movies. That is, until he was arrested. Her life turns upside down when she is ostracized for her last name. To make things worse, she gets threatened on the way back from a party one night.

Finally, Wendy meets exactly the right kind of girl to help her build up a defense system. Kenzie is mean, popular, and an alpha. Along with two other girls, Wendy has become part of the school's most popular clique- where no one can touch her.

This "toxic friendship" begins to drain Wendy. She knows bullying others to protect herself is wrong. She knows that Kenzie is possibly one of the worst people she has met. But is she so addicted to the safety and power that she should compromise her values?

Saturday, September 2, 2017

I'm back with my last post about Italy (2012). I know I've said that before- but this time I honestly think that I don't have any other Italian pictures to share with you! Here are some last pictures of Venetian buildings and cathedrals.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Leo and Caleb aren't best friends. Then again, most siblings have complex relationships. When Caleb's angry though, his outbursts literally send Leo running. This violent behavior forces the family to relocate, to a new setting where Leo and Caleb both hope to prosper.

Over time, Leo develops the ability to run fast and think ahead. He joins the cross-country and track teams at his new school, and even befriends a state champion. Learning from the best runner his age, Leo improves his skills and even meets a girl he has a crush on.

Yet Caleb still hasn't managed to settle down in his new life. Leo's newfound peace won't last long, because Caleb's jealousy will soon start to show in violent beatings and scary behavior.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Charlotte and Frankie are ordinary, boring high schoolers who live with their almost-normal parents. They don't have a perfect body, or a soulmate (except maybe each other). They haven't had the perfect romance, the best adventure or the wildest party. They are just teenagers.

Until Charlotte decides to document their lives in a book to prove how boring they are. Sophomore year is just the same as freshman year, her friends are still the same and she's the kid she always was. Or is she?

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Hey guys- today's list is a bit of a freebie. Over at The Broke and the Bookish the only guideline we've been given is "Back to School". I've been wanting to do this list for a while- because my school began over a month ago! Today I'm listing my Top Ten Historical Fictions to Complement History Lessons.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Hey guys! I'm linking up with Kathryn @ Book Date once again to update you all on my week. I had quite a good reading week. I finished two review books and started a third one (the last one that's been approved). I also finished a light read in between. Hopefully next week I'll have time to pick up The Dream Thieves, the second book in the Raven Cycle Trilogy

I finished "Blood and Ink" by Stephen Davies. It was quite an interesting take on radicalism and terrorism in Africa.

I also finished reading "The 12 Dares of Christa" by Marissa Burt. I loved it so much- it's a great middle grade book.

I devoured Allie Carter's Heist Society in one or two sittings. It was the perfect, light-hearted book to separate the two review books.

I'm currently reading "Far From the Tree" by Robin Benway. This is the last of a series of review books that were approved for me. I'm looking forward to picking up some books I've had on my TBR for a while.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Daughter of a well-respected General, Elizabeth Schuyler is well-versed in the standards of social etiquette. Her family often entertains officers and messengers, but none of them leave as much of an impression as her future husband.

Alexander Hamilton, soldier and aide to General George Washington, causes Elizabeth's heart to flutter and never really leaves her heart. She courts Alexander briefly and they marry quickly.

Amidst the chaos of the American Revolution, Eliza and Alexander find time for their ever-growing family. After the war,
Hamilton finds himself devoting more time to work and less to his health, as he becomes an essential part of the government.

Hidden from the public eye, Eliza manages the house-hold, calms her husband and helps to stabilize her family. In the capital, she entertains regularly, socializing with the wives of important men while struggling to deal with her own familial issues.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Before I say anything else- let me wish all the Indians reading this a Happy Independence Day! We celebrate our 70th year of Independence this year!

Getting back to the post- I'm linking back up with the Broke and the Bookish for a Top Ten Tuesday post- the first after a break they took over the summer. My theme today is Young Adult books that are a must read- even for people with a strong dislike of Young Adult books!
(All links go to my review)

These were some of my all-time favourite reads. I think that any of these books will be enough to re-spark an interest in YA and in reading for anyone who has slowly given up. Have you guys read any of these books? Let me know in the comments below!